International Law and Human Rights

Since 2006, the Institute for Human Rights offers the Master’s Degree Programme in International Human Rights Law. From autumn 2018 onwards, this programme will be replaced by the Master’s Degree Programme in International Law and Human Rights. The new programme builds on the previous programme and offers the possibility to choose as specialisation either international human rights law or another field of public international law.

This two-year programme is offered by the Institute for Human Rights and the Chair of Public International Law at Åbo Akademi University. The programme is designed to equip its graduates for:

• challenging careers in international and non-governmental organizations and public administration, in the field of international human rights law or another field of public international law
• advanced research in the field of human rights or public international law

Students who have successfully completed the full-time study programme will be awarded a Master of Social Sciences degree (Politices magister). However, the programme has a legal focus, corresponding to an LL.M. Degree.

Compulsory studies (80 credits)

1.1 Governance Through International Law (in total 20 credits) consists of the following courses:

• Sources and Principles of Public International Law (5 credits)
• Enforcement of International Obligations (5 credits)
• International Protection of Human Rights (10 credits)

1.2 Thematic Specialisation within the Programme (20 credits) In addition to the above given compulsory courses, students must further study 20 credits in the area of public international law. These courses can belong to the area of international human rights law, international refugee law, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, general public international law, or another field of public international law. Students can freely choose among the available courses (see the list of courses below).

1.3 Master ́s Seminars Paper and Methodology (10 credits)

1.4 Master's Thesis (30 credits) 2. ELECTIVE STUDIES (40 credits). The elective studies consist of two parts, 20 credits each

2.1. Elective specialisation 20 credits 20 credits in one freely chosen subject or thematic module. These 20 credits need to be within one subject or thematic module. They can be within public international law (see the list of courses), or any other subject within Åbo Akademi. In order for this module to qualify as a minor, the number of credits need to be 25, which affects the number of credits remaining as free elective studies (see 2.2 below).

2.2. Free elective studies 20 credits These studies can be in any subject(s). Contrary to 2.1, these studies need not be in one subject only. 

You are an eligible applicant for Master’s-level studies if

• you have a nationally recognized bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education,
• you meet the language requirements
• your degree is in a relevant field for the Master’s degree programme that you’re applying to

The programme is open to all applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree in law or another Bachelor’s degree with at least 45 ECTS in law or other relevant subject(s). The applicants should be familiar with the basics of public international law and/or constitutional law.

The programme consists of courses and seminars offered to small or medium-size groups of 15-30 students and the language of instruction is English.

You can prove your level of language proficiency in English by submitting one of the following English-language test scores to your application:

• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): Scores in the Academic test with an average of 6.5, with no individual scores below 5.5. Even if you have the minimum score required in the different sections, you will not be eligible if the required total score is not achieved. Note that the IELTS General Test score is not accepted.
  You can attach a copy of the test report form to your application. The test report form must be verifiable. The results are valid for two years. 
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Total scores of at least 575 points in the paper-based test (PBT), or 90 in the Internet-based test (iBT). The Test of Written English (TWE) is required for those taking the paper-based TOEFL test.
  In addition to this it is recommended that applicants from China and East Asia, unless they take the iBT test, take the TSE (Test of Spoken English) if they have not studied in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand or USA. The required score in the TSE is 45.
  The TOEFL reporting code for Åbo Akademi University is 9880. The results are valid for two years. 
• PTE Academic (Pearson’s test of English): Total score of at least 62 points. Once you receive your test score send it to Åbo Akademi University from your PTE account. Choose Finland as the “Country” and  Åbo as the “City”, then select the university you want to send your results to and confirm your order. After this, ÅAU should have access to your test results within 48 hours. Be advised that online language test results will only be accepted from the test organiser. The results are valid for two years.

Fee-paying students can apply for a scholarship to cover a part or the whole tuition fee.

There are three scholarship categories:

1. Full Scholarship, covering the tuition fee and includes a annual scholarship to cover the student’s living expenses (6 720 €), awarded for 2 years (second year conditional)
2. Tuition Fee Scholarship, covering 100 % of the tuition fee, awarded for 2 years (second year conditional)
3. Tuition Fee Scholarship, covering 50 % of the tuition fee, awarded for 2 years (second year conditional)

The decision to grant a scholarship is based on

• the academic performance of the student in his/her previous studies,
• how well the applicant meets the programme requirements
• the answers the applicants have given in the application form

When applying to Åbo Akademi University, applicants can indicate on the application form their wish to apply for a scholarship. In the application form the applicants are asked to answer a set of questions related to motivation and future goals. The answers to the questions will be assessed by the scholarship committee who makes the decision on granting the scholarships. In the assessment the following is evaluated: communicative skills, academic goals and general interest in the field.

The decision on the granted scholarship is given to the applicants together with the admission letter. In order to accept the scholarship the applicant must have accepted the study entitlement offered (binding acceptance).

Scholarships for the second year of study

The scholarships are awarded for two years. However, the second year is conditional depending on the progress of the studies. In order to qualify for the scholarship in the second year, a scholarship holder must earn at least 55 credits during the first academic year (the progress of the studies is checked in the end of May).

In addition to the scholarships listed above there will also be a chance to apply for a scholarship for the second year. This opportunity is open for all those students who have paid their fees during the first year or who have received a tuition fee scholarship covering 50% of the tuition fee in the first year. The requirement to receive this scholarship is excellent study records (GPA over 4), 55 earned credits during the first academic year and a good motivation to continue the studies.